WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis women's basketball fell to LIU, 74-59, on the road Thursday evening.
>> Sonia Sato led the Red Flash with 13 points, Cassandra Hawthorne added 12, while Aleah James and Shelby Ricks each contributed nine.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
LIU built an early advantage the first quarter, using timely shooting and trips to the free-throw line to create separation with a 10 point lead, 22-12. Saint Francis battled to keep pace using steady scoring from Sato and Hawthorne, but the Sharks carried momentum into the second frame.

In the second quarter, the Red Flash found success attacking the paint and earning opportunities of its own at the free-throw line. Despite the push, LIU maintained control heading into halftime with a double-digit lead.

Saint Francis came out of the break with energy. Hawthorne knocked down a three-pointer to spark the offense, and Walker capitalized at the free-throw line to chip away at the deficit. Makyiah Ward put on some defensive pressure forcing turnovers. Saint Francis made a late push in the fourth quarter to bring the deficit to single digits, but that surge was not enough to keep the Red Flash in reaching distance.
 

FLASH MOMENTS 
Hawthorne got the offense going early, knocking down a jumper and later connecting from beyond the arc.

Sato provided a spark midway through the second quarter with a strong finish inside and a pair of free throws.

Coming out of halftime, Hawthorne buried a three-pointe, while Walker followed with contributions at the free-throw line during a third-quarter push.

Ward shifted momentum defensively in the second half, recording five steals that led to transition opportunities for the Red Flash.

In the fourth quarter, Sato attacked the rim for a key bucket and Walker converted at the free-throw to cut the margin to single digits.

FLASH NUGGETS
Sato led the Red Flash with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. The graduate student also added two steals and a block.

Hawthorne added 12 points to the total on 2-of-5 from behind the arc and shooting 100% from the free-throw line. The graduate student added two offensive rebounds.

Ricks contributed to multiple columns on the state sheet. The graduate student added nine points and seven rebounds, one offensive and six defensive. She also put up one block and one steal.

Freshman, Ward, made a statement on defense nabbing five steals and four defensive rebounds to add to her total of six rebounds. She also put up six points to add to the Red Flash total.

Graduate student, James added nine points as well.

NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis continues its road series on Saturday taking on Wagner in Staten Island, N.Y. Tip-off is at 2 p.m.
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